FREE DOWNLOAD: I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II by Killer Mike

That's right! Go to HipHopDX and get the free download of the 2008 HipHopDX Album of the Year selection!

FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wale x 9th Wonder mixtape for FREE!!!

Ok ok... so I know that I'm a bit behind on this one but I saw it and had to forward it along to you guys. Thanks to USOUL Mag for the great links and so forth. This is a Wale mixtape with a bunch of 9th Wonder production.

Enjoy!

J. Period x Nneka free mixtape!!

J. Period x Nneka - The Madness (Onye-Ala)

Okayplayer has been on Nneka for a minute and they are predicting she is the next big thing in American soul music. This Nigerian songstress (by way of Germany) has an undeniable sound mixed with hip hop, soul, reggae, and other genres that has a strength and social awareness. As if a voice born of revolution she exists to awaken others. The mixtape features M-1 of Dead Prez and Talib Kweli as well as others so it has some potential.

I just downloaded her 3 disc album To And Fro.



As you can imagine I'm still going through all of the music cause there is a lot. Hopefully I can get a better feel for her music and drop a review. In the meantime, snag the free music and make your mind up for yourself!

(Thanks to Okayplayer fam)

Music Review: YahZarah - The Prelude EP - Music - Blogcritics

On the heels of that amazing Foreign Exchange concert, I went to Emusic and pulled down every D-Brock, Carlitta Durand, and Yahzarah CD that I could find that I didn't already have! Unfortunately, I had everything D-Brock had on Emusic but I did get more Carlitta and this blazing EP from Yahzarah! Click on the album art above to get to my review on Blogcritics!

Foreign Exchange @ BB Kings in NYC.... a review

Ok so, the night of the concert was absolutely horrendous for weather and like an idiot I decided to stand in line with my girl for the concert without an umbrella. So, as we awaited Bobby Brown to finish his set, me and the rest of the Foreign Exchange fans were wet, cold, and tired waiting to get inside which really didn't happen until almost 12:30.

The amazing thing was that even though people were tired and probably upset it took so long to get in, the buzz was still there. People were chatting with each other and crowding the stage long before the FE crew was ready. As my girl and I waited we spoke to people from Minnesota, Paris, and Brooklyn all oozed over FE's catalogue. The common question was, "So how did you get put on to Foreign Exchange?" Even the Brooklyn faithful were pleasantly surprised with how soulful and honest Nic and Phonte's music has been from "Connected" to "Leave It All Behind". As we waited, a few eager fans even unfurled their sign that said that FE deserved a Grammy.The crowd was mixed with many races and just a collage of soul music and hip hop fans.

Finally, Nicolay, Zo! and the band (a bassist and a drummer) stolled out onstage and took their places. Then Carlitta Durand, Darien Brockington, and Yahzarah took their places. Carlitta had a nice little tight black outfit that pushed her chesticles all out (LOL). D-Brock was fresh and clean as always in his suit. Yahzarah was BLAZIN in a tight open backed short length dress (that i think she made) and plenty of glitter and flash to assist her amazing voice. Then, Nic started playing his beautiful single "Lose Your Way" from his City Lights Vol. 2 album that features Carlitta and the crowd cheered in appreciation for the choice. Carlitta closed her eyes and aligned beautifuly with the tune and just as the chorus came, Phonte jumped on stage to fill out the roster and sing backup for Carlitta with the others as the FE Music eased the crowd into easily the most entertaining concert I've EVER been too.

Now as they went into the set, Phonte confirmed that for this crowd, it was the first time seeing the Foreign Exchange and they were in for a treat. From start to finish, Phonte Coleman commanded event. Whether introducing the band, explaining the upcoming song, or simply actin silly and singing old 80's or 90's songs, Phonte had the crowd in stitches! Laughter abound, Phonte even did a quick imitation of Bobby Brown saying that he was honored to be playing after Bobby Brown.

As they played through the set for the new album, Phonte explained that the music that he and Nicolay were aiming to deliver was music that made you feel good. On top of that, they wanted to provide a soul service to explain the hardships of relationships through song with this album which in part explained the departure from the predominantly hip hop debut "Connected". Going on, Phonte explained each song with a comical interlude and with an extended version of "Wanna Know" he placed his personality on overdrive and delivered one of the most hilarious explanations of how to stay together in a relationship ever! Speaking to both sides, he delivered his philosophy of what both women and men want in relationships and what can be done to sustain it through the hard times. It was simple. For the brothas he advised for us to simply let the ladies spend that little bit of change for them to look great since they can spend less to look great (unlike us... we have to spend money to look good). For the women, he simply said that EVERY brotha just wants to come home and be at peace. Great advice. And at the end of it all, he showed that one word can do so much for a relationship. "OK" So powerful and yet so simple! So, that's not the answer to all problems but his explanation of it in the midst of the song which has "OK" in the chorus was a beautiful way to make the concert more than just a programmed effort to do the set list and leave. FE lives and breathes the music they all create so the feeling was there from each and every performer on stage.

On went the concert and eventually the crew jumped into some classics from the first album such as "Come Over", "Sincere", "Nic's Groove", and "Raw Life". For each, the expected guests came onstage. Rapper Big Pooh and Joe Scudda both came on, thrilled the crowd, and did their thing with conviction. Though the crowd new Pooh as soon as he came up, it seemed only a choice few new Scudda. Still, it didn't phase him and he did his thing.

Of course the highlight of the show was just watching Phonte have fun with the band and the crowd. From redoin the Aly-Us house jam "Follow Me" to taking "IG-nant" radio hip hop songs and presenting them as neo-soul, he kept the laughs coming. He even did his best imitation of Mad Cobra and sang "Flex" for a minute. Somewhere in there he ends up singing his own made up reggae song (similar to Cedric the Entertainer's bit off of Kings Of Comedy) by singing dishes off a Jamaican menu saying that it doesn't matter what you're saying cause it just sound cool! Phonte even got Zo! to do their recent remake of Prince's "Take Me With You" to keep the 80's/90's throwback feel going. Still, i'm sure the crowd was hoping for a bit more from the Zo! and Tigallo "Love the 80's" album.

After doing a few more songs, they gave the stage to Zo! and the band to allow them to play a few remakes of familiar tunes before bringing everyone back onstage to wrap things up. As the very last song, they eased everyone out to the first single off the new album, "Daykeeper". Beautifully done, they thanked the crowd and left us all completely satisfied with the setlist and the extras abound!

As Phonte and Nicolay collaborate together with their new label mates, it is clear that there is some more great music on the way. Nic, Tay, Carlitta, Zo!, Yahzarah, and D-Brock just have a blazing chemistry that hopefully will keep them all together for many years to come because concerts like this should not be missed!

Meshell Ndegeocello Releases “Devil’s Halo” in October

(thanks to Honeysoul.com for the info)

Meshell Ndegeocello Releases “Devil’s Halo” in October. Tour Dates and Video

Me'shell is back and on a new label Mercer Street to release her newest effort entitled "Devil's Halo". Once again, a promise to be a wide range of sounds and influences, the video above is proof the Me'Shell is still at the peak of her creative career.

And just as a reminder, here is the review of her previous album that yours truly did for Honeysoul!!



Stay tuned for more info!

Check out Choklate To Whom It May Concern Listen Now!!

Sup Fam!!

I want you all to take a good listen to : Choklate To Whom It May Concern Listen Now!!

Her debut album was a huge hit with the 'underground soul' scene and even won a few awards a year or so ago. Now she's back and ready to shock the world again with her second effort due out on May 19th.

4dasoul.com got their hands on a few preview tracks and it sounds oh so lovely to me! Go check them out and then go rush to the store or online someplace and GET THIS ALBUM!!!

 

Much luv til then!